What exactly is "gaping" anyway?

[herefishiefishie]

Hello everyone. Reading the responses to Alex's thread in a wide-open inhalant siphon brought somehing to mind...

When I first heard the term "gaping" in reference to ailing clams, I understood it to be that the shell was sagging open too wide, with the siphonal mantle drooping into the shell cavity. Clams that exhibit this symptom are in extremis indeed, and will likely die if something is not done immediately.

Recently I have read talk here about "gaping" referring to the inhalant siphon being open too wide for long periods of time. I have seen clams do this from time to time and return to "normal" appearance, apparently none the worse for wear.

So, what is your definition of a "gaping" clam? Also, does anyone have a definitive reference that mentions gaping and what exactly gaping might be?

Thanks for your help,

[Edited by herefishiefishie on 02-12-2001 at 10:02 PM]